Four Marines arrested for assaulting man at Long Beach gay bar

LONG BEACH — Long Beach Police Department detectives are investigating a possible hate crime attack involving four Marine Corps members who attacked a man outside a popular local gay bar, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Police were called to the Silver Fox, located on Redondo Avenue near Fourth Street on the edge of Belmont Heights, at about 2 a.m. Monday, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.

"Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that an assault had occurred to a man by several male suspects after they had left the establishment," Pratt said Tuesday.

During the assault, Pratt said, two other people who came to the aid of the victim were also attacked. Only one of the victims was taken to the hospital with what police described as "non-life-threatening injuries."

Silver Fox Manager John Barnes told the Press-Telegram on Monday that the four men came into the bar late Sunday or early Monday and the primary culprit, who seemed visibly uncomfortable while at the bar, called Barnes "sweetheart."

"You could tell by the tone of his voice that he was uncomfortable, he was making a demeaning remark," Barnes said.

The attack occurred as the bar was closing, with the primary suspect punching a young gay man who was much smaller, Barnes said.

Police were on scene within moments of the call, and the suspects were detained and arrested for assault. LBPD Violent Crimes Division detectives are also investigating the incident as a possible hate crime attack, Pratt said.

They expect to present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Wednesday, when prosecutors will determine what charges will be filed, she said.